Ho Chi Minh City, July 4, 2025 – The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) – Ho Chi Minh Regional Branch, with support from Investing in Women, an initiative of the Australian Government, successfully organised the thematic workshop: “Professionalising the Caregiving Sector – A Driving Force for Developing Elderly Care Services in Vietnam Towards Gender Equality and Comprehensive Care”.
Background and Urgent Need
Vietnam officially entered an aging population phase in 2011 and is now among the countries with the fastest aging rates globally. According to the latest data from the National Statistics Office, by 2024, the number of Vietnamese citizens aged 60 and above reached 14.2 million—a significant increase of 4.7 million since 2014. It is projected that by 2030, this number will rise to nearly 18 million, adding almost 4 million more people in just six years.
This rapid growth in the elderly population brings significant healthcare and social challenges, leading to an urgent demand for more support, especially high-quality long-term care for the elderly. In addition, data show that the average elderly Vietnamese person lives with multiple chronic conditions which require specialised and continuous care. Meanwhile, traditional family structures are gradually changing, together with work-life pressures, are substantially limiting the ability of family members to provide comprehensive care at home. This drives the need to develop a professional and structured caregiving service sector.
The Importance of Professionalising Caregiving
In his opening remarks at the event, Mr. Trần Ngọc Liêm – Director of VCCI Ho Chi Minh Regional Branch – emphasised the event’s purpose:
“This workshop brings together experts, policymakers, businesses, and stakeholders to discuss the potential, current challenges, and opportunities to improve care services—especially through professionalising the caregiving workforce. We believe this is a strategic move that not only enhances the quality of life for the elderly but also opens up a promising socio-economic sector.”
The workshop also welcomed a representative from the Australian Government, a key partner in many development programs in Vietnam. Ms. Sarah Hooper, Australian Consul-General in Ho Chi Minh City, shared:
“Australia is pleased to support the partnership between Investing in Women and VCCI Ho Chi Minh Regional Branch to professionalise caregiving, in collaboration with Melbourne Polytechnic and Hong Duc Hospital. This work actions our shared commitment to a more inclusive, equitable, and compassionate society. It will contribute to caregivers receiving quality training, fairer pay, and meaningful careers, while ensuring quality care for older persons. A robust professional care economy reduces women’s unpaid care responsibilities, enabling them to participate in the economy and contribute to Vietnam’s sustainable growth.”
GRACE Project – A Strategic Step for the Care Sector
During the workshop, the GRACE (Gender-Responsive Innovations for Equitable Aged Care) Project was officially launched. This project aims to develop a high-quality workforce in aged care, expand career opportunities for middle-aged workers and encourage private sector participation in caregiving services. The project will run for 18 months, from June 2025 to December 2026.
GRACE is more than just a training project—it aims to build a sustainable support ecosystem for non-medical caregiving. It will help caregivers, especially middle-aged workers, access structured vocational training, find suitable jobs, and more importantly gain professional and social recognition. The project is expected to shape a new, deeply humane profession with sustainable growth potential and increasing importance in modern society.
Ms. Bùi Thị Ninh – Deputy General Director of VCCI Ho Chi Minh Regional Branch – shared her vision in professionalising caregiving: “Currently, the demand for elderly care in Vietnam is very high. However, most caregivers today are informal workers relying on experience without formal training, leading to inconsistent service quality and a lack of professionalism. Moreover, caregiving is not yet officially recognised as a legitimate profession, so caregivers are undervalued and underpaid. This leads to a severe shortage of qualified caregivers. We believe that by professionalising caregiving, the GRACE project not only meets the growing societal demand but also serves as a significant step in our collective effort to improve the quality of life for Vietnam’s older persons.”
GRACE is committed to enhancing the quality of training programs for caregivers through close collaboration with various government agencies, professional associations, and reputable educational and training institutions. Notably, for the first time in Vietnam, the micro-credential form of training model is being applied in the GRACE project through partnership with Melbourne Polytechnic (Australia). This is a modern and flexible training model that quickly responds to the evolving skill requirements of today’s labour market. This will enhance caregivers’ status and expertise while ensuring stable and fair income.
The workshop featured experts from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and Training, Ministry of Home Affairs, and representatives from businesses, mass organisations including the Central Committee of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly and the Ho Chi Minh City Women’s Union. It concluded with a lively panel and commitments to action from all stakeholders, opening a promising new chapter for Vietnam’s elderly care service sector—toward a society where older persons receive comprehensive care and caregivers are rightfully recognised.
For more information, please contact:
VCCI-HCM: Ms. Phương Thảo
Phone: +84 906 821 203
Email: phuongthao@vcci-hcm.org.vn
